Cecilia Regina Belligan peacefully entered into eternity in the quiet morning hours of July 12, 2026.

Born in Leroy, Wisconsin on February 1, 1934 to the late Kilian and Cecilia (nee Gindt) Wondra, she was the 9th of 10 children. Growing up, she supported the family business of farming by assisting her sisters, brothers, and parents with all that running a farm entailed. Ceil had many happy memories of her time on the farm, but hoped that one day she would build a beautiful, happy home in the city.

Her dream began to take form at an Easter Sunday dance, where she met Joseph Belligan. They married on July 10, 1954 and later moved to West Bend, where they built the home Ceil had hoped for as a girl. They were blessed to welcome two daughters, Sue and Gayl, in the coming years, and with their family complete, Ceil worked to give them all a happy life. She worked at City Bakery, then the A&P, and was later hired as the head cashier at Kohl’s Food Store by Herb Kohl himself after impressing him with her quick mental math skills, a fact of which she took immense pride. She excelled in her career during a time when it was difficult for women to be hired into leadership roles, but her focus and joy in life continued to be her family.

Throughout her children’s childhood, they traveled to many places across the country for Joe’s bowling tournaments and special family vacations, most notably the New York World’s Fair in 1964. She cultivated a home where Sue and Gayl’s friends were always welcome, often hosting sleepovers, planning elaborate birthday cakes, leading Girl Scout troops, and listening to the unending music as pom-pom routines were being choreographed. Ceil always welcomed everyone with open arms. Other favorite memories of Ceil’s included times spent with her childhood family later in life, particularly holiday celebrations with her siblings.

In 1987, Ceil discovered the role that made her heart fit to burst when she became a grandmother to Abby, and again two years later, when Kelsey arrived. She happily accepted every chance to host the girls for a sleepover and was a smiling face in the crowd at all of their important sporting events, dance recitals, and celebrations. Ceil’s love for her granddaughters was unquestionable, clearly shown through her continuous presence throughout all stages of their lives.

After retirement, Joe and Ceil became snowbirds and spent several months of the year in Zephyrhills, Florida, where they made lasting friendships and created countless happy memories. They cherished this time of being closer to Sue, and eagerly awaited the arrival of Mark, Gayl, Abby, and Kelsey each spring break. Ceil enjoyed searching through thrift stores with friends to find the perfect treasure, clothes shopping with her sister Gene, carefully displaying her crystal collections, and maintaining a clean and inviting home. She delighted in organizing and arranging everything just so, finding beauty in even the smallest details and taking great pride in making friends and family feel comfortable and welcome.

In recent years, she was blessed to be closely surrounded by all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Having her whole family live within a seven-mile radius allowed for her to experience what brought her the most happiness in life: a close connection with those she loved. When her great-grandchildren entered the world, Ceil received another opportunity to pour all of her love and nurturing into a new generation through Maelynn and Boone.

Ceil’s greatest love was for her family, especially her husband of 72 years, Joe. Through every season of life, they remained devoted companions. His well-being was never far from her mind, and through every triumph, change, and challenge, she fiercely protected her beloved husband. Her greatest comfort was simply being near him. God answered our family’s prayers when He took her home peacefully with Joe by her side, two days after celebrating their 72nd wedding anniversary.

In addition to her beloved parents, Ceil was reunited in heaven with her five brothers, Arnold (Angeline), Edward (Mary), Raymond (Alice), Leo (Marcella), and Paul (Delphina), her three sisters, Florence (Wilbert) Gitter, Helen (Walter) Thimm, and Genevieve (Norman) Matenaer, sister-in-law Pat Wondra, and her beloved brothers- and sisters-in-law of the Belligan family, Rose (Fred) Lohaus, Martin (Ethel) Belligan, Florian (Donica) Belligan, John Belligan, Bernard (Marjorie) Belligan, Katherine (George) Heim, Peter Feypel, and Michael Neirink.

Her greatest gift was the strength she instilled in her family through steady, unconditional love - a gift that lives on through her devoted husband Joe, children Sue Belligan, Gayl Schleif and husband, Mark, who Ceil loved as a son, grandchildren Abby Schleif and Kelsey (Brian) Miller, great-grandchildren Maelynn and Boone Miller, brother Al Wondra, sisters-in-law Winona Belligan and Diana Neirink, and many dearly loved nieces and nephews. They will continue to carry her love and strength forward.

The family would like to extend their most heartfelt gratitude to all the staff at Serenity Villa, especially her girl, Bella. They not only cared for Ceil, but brought laughter, comfort, security, and love into her life every single day. The team of nurses, aides, chaplains, and social workers at Preceptor Hospice enveloped our entire family in compassion and support during our hardest moments. Words fail us in expressing our gratitude.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 6, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in West Bend, with visitation at the church from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. Private family inurnment will take place at a later date at Washington County Memorial Park.